Humanoid robots are being trialled for jobs all over the place. Supcon, a Chinese company, is reported to have its own T2 humanoid already at work on the streets of Hangzhou. Unlike the ‘bots running stores, making cars, or moving luggage, the T2 is enforcing traffic laws. Sort of.
It’s not likely to arrest anybody any time soon, but it’s supposedly telling petty criminals off. Supcon Information‘s robot has been on the street since May this year, where it’s mostly looking for minor road infractions.
T2: Judgement Day
These include e-bike riders without helmets or carrying passengers they’re not supposed to. It’s also looking for pedestrians crossing the roads where (and when) they’re not permitted. Finally, the artificial traffic warden is also keeping an eye on cars that cross too far into intersections when stopped. It doesn’t do too much about it — the T2 is set up to give warnings and cautions — but it’s still taking action.
Fifteen of the 98-kilogram humanoid ‘bots have been patrolling in the Hangzhou test. They don’t walk, as Unitree’s bots do. Instead, the T2 scoots around on a little wheeled platform. It’s a bit like seeing cops on hoverboards. Since May, they’ve handed out more than 170,000 warnings. Reportedly, this has led to a 40% drop in the offences they’re looking out for. Chinese officials have yet to confirm these figures, so maybe don’t believe them right away.
Yelling at miscreants isn’t all the 1.88-metre-tall robot can do. As with other service droids, it’ll respond to queries from passersby. Directions, traffic law information, and the ability to contact the (human) cops are part of its functions.
At present, the robots are said to work specific patrol areas. They run on their own from 07h00 to 18h00 daily, with Supcon saying that there are now a total of 50 ‘bots active across eight cities in China. The company reckons it’ll have more than 200 T2 units in service before the end of 2026.
